Living My 60th Year - Apples, Apples and more Apples

Apples, Apples, and more Apples.

It's that time of year..... Apples, Apples, and more Apples.

This year, my farm partner, Pam, decided that we needed to pick apples.  We had three plots in the community garden this past summer and planted veggies like you couldn't believe

Summers are great as there is so many choices of all kinds of veggies.   We grew this corn and it was pretty good.  The big farm up the road grew three types of corn.  Yum!  I brought all three types to a family picnic, husks in tack as we were going to grill them.  Sweet.

My Corn Crop

It was kinda funny when the kids peeled back the husks to find out that they were different.   The drama was .....  Really we need to get kids in the garden so they know where food comes from!

Thanks Dad!

Back to apples, we picked lots and lots.  Driving back home with bushels and wondering what we were going to do..... then that moment and I had an  "ah ha".  My Dad had a dehydrator and my brother Tim had it.  So I called him and made arrangements to borrow it from him since he wasn't using it.  

Oh my goodness, I thought it was a small one.  Nope, and he and I laughed, and said simultaneously - That's Dad.

Apple Chips

 Since I had lots of apples - I tried out the apples!  That's the result and they were great!

You need to be consistent in the slices - thicker slices the longer they take to dry.

Not the prettiest apple chips, yet they were really good.  Unfortunately I need to get a routine to make the chips - the routine to eat the chips is already working!

If you are wondering how crunchy - they are not potato chip crunchy.  They are still pliable and really good!  I put some away, I couldn't believe that, and when I took that back out, they were still great.

Pork Roast and Apples

I still had lots of apples left.  Bring out the crock pot.  There is a pork roast in the pot with some apples.  Very nice.

Apple Sauce

Next - applesauce - the crock pot is great to make apple sauce.  Cut them up, put on a good amount of cinnamon and nutmeg on low for 4-5 hours.  The last hour add cranberries!   

I've made several pots of applesauce so far.   I went out and purchased more apples.  Some times, especially for applesauce, the second hand apples work just fine and I can make two batches.

Roasted Butternut /Apple Soup

My last creation to date was to make a roasted butternut squash apple soup for Christmas dinner.  It was quite the deal as I couldn't find exactly the soup recipe I wanted.  The butternut squash came out of our garden

Low and behold with a bit of tweaking, viola, an amazing soup.  Mom and Tim had some, everyone else turned up their noses - their loss!

It's been a good season for apples.  The next time I make sauce, I'm going to do some canning of the sauce.   Isn't the old saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away?  

Anyway......... Apples, Apples and more Apples.  Hope you decide to try some!

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Snowflakes Viola!

One year ago today....  I decided that I would make the crocheted snowflakes.  

I had wanted to decorate with lots and lots of flakes.  Over the years I started and stopped; never getting more than a few accomplished.

Lots and lots of snowflakes....  while we are not enjoying the nature made variety in the balmy 65° weather here in New England, my collection of snowflakes did get done.  I made 35 during the year.  I had set a goal of over 50 flakes. Another batch would fill out the display in my foyer better.

I am so pleased with the flakes that I did complete.  There is magic as I look at each one of them.  Each is unique, each with a story of how a simple a hook and some thread  can capture the imagination.

Thank you to Snowcatcher , for year long inspirations.   It was a year ago today that I refound her blog.  Every Monday she presents a new snowflake pattern.  Before long, I was really looking forward to Snowflake Mondays.

To present the snowflakes themselves, here's a wee video to showcase them. Enjoy!

Now on to making more snowflakes for 2016.  I will continue with the crochet variety and will try my hand at tatting a few!


Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Living My 60th Year -

Snow Snow Snow and then more Snow!  A great week has gone by.  

Last week I took my middle brother and his wife out to dinner.  A prior Christmas present that was to go out to dinner - actually I did this four years in a row. They were suppose to call with a date.... that never happened.  So I told them this year what the date was and when I was picking them up.  

Actually he needed to reschedule from January to February, no fuss.  We met at a cute little place cal Amici in Shelton and had a great dinner at the beginning of yet another snow storm.  One down and three to go!

 My sister-in-law handed me over a large shopping bag with some yarn in it over the holiday as she was frustrated attempting to use the yarn and make a crochet blanket.  She chose a dark purple yarn - same brand as pictured here - and was running into difficulty.  I worked up a sample of a pattern I used for several blankets in a light color and explained how to do the stitch.   It is a simple double crochet in the back loop only and is worked with two strands at the same time with at least a N hook.  Result is that a row is over an inch tall, double strands make it very comfy, and it goes very quickly.  She seemed satisfied and I hope she begins her project soon. 

Then I received a phone call from the Library about the Town requesting to reduce their Zero increase budget by over 3% or $50,000 plus.  So we scrambled, came up with a plan, and we submitted that we close the Library all Sundays - and close on Thursday at 5pm.  That's right - lock up all those resources!!!  Close down additional meeting rooms, study rooms, the free wifi, the books, videos, cd, and other items in the collection, and shut down children and adult programing.   Our Library is the fifth busiest library in Connecticut.  More than 800 people (on average) enter our Library every day it is open.  Our work is cut out for us!  We need to rally the troops  - await to hear the response from the Town Manager - and it is tic toc tic toc.

I leave you with yellow roses that I purchased at the Volunteer Fire Department Valentines sale.  Just lovely  and and extra bunch of white ones - just because.......

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Day 11 - Clean out the toy chest - Nope

Up early to make the appetizer and dessert. ....then off to deliver goodies to neighbors and then dinner with Bob and Judy neighbors.  What a relaxing day.  Thanksgiving is pretty special.

As for the toy chest.......I don't own one. Geez, I don't have toys.  I do have some board games, couple decks of cards,  and some wooden toys my Dad made.  Electronic games. That's not in the spirit of this Challenge.

So I decided to share an ornament I keep on my tree, a pineapple.   It signifies hospitality, and how I feel my home needs to be.  It joined my collection after a visit to Mystic Village.   In this season, I hope you bring hope and joy to your home.  May you have the thanksgiving spirit to guide you each day.

Day 11 Accomplished - Item for donate box - 2 pairs of older prescription glasses

Today's Challenge - Day 12 - Donate items you're holding onto "just in case"  - and - find one item to put in the donate box

Let there be Peace

Wouldn't it be amazing if there was Peace on earth? It wouldn't take too much. It would take each individual to be kind and thoughtful. It would be for individuals to carry peace and joy in their hearts and to give it away every day. It would be for us to celebrate and embrace our differences because we can learn from one another.  It's our own uniqueness that makes our world an amazing place.  I invite you to sing along with these most talented children.

Tis the Season - The White Tree

Two years ago I put up my white tree for the first time in a long time.  That year was special as my nephew, Seamus help decorate the tree.  This year, now the third time.  It has evolved a bit from the past years.  I found that those pics you get at the craft store make a lovely decoration to the end of the stick branches.  I found little doves in silver, gold, and white.  I  found some beautiful crystal icicles in Storrtown Village at the Big E.  Hand made and imported by Kurt Adler, they reflect the light so beautifully and add that extra sparkle to the tree.

The new addition to this year is a hand made crystal pineapple.  I found it at the Yankee Candle on my way back from New Hampshire.   Pineapples have long been a symbol of welcome, hospitality and wealth to all that live here.

It goes back to Christopher Columbus and to colonial America.  Once discovered, the pineapple became the 'treat of kings'.  No matter if you were back in Europe or here in colonial days, the pineapple became sought after.  Shop keepers were known rent out the pineapples before they were purchased by the more affulent families in the town.

In the seafaring towns of the east coast of America, the symbol of the pineapple can be seen in the architecture.  It was said that pineapples would be put out on the gate signifying that the sea captain was home and available to receive guests.

Time to take the tree out, set it up, and enjoy the ornaments that you have collected over the years.  No matter what holiday you celebrate, those decorations have stories.  Do you have the stories written down?  Hopefully this year, as you decorate for your holiday, you may have the chance to write about them.  

By the way, my tree is complete and I'll be enjoying it all month long!

Spread Joy to Everyone

The season is upon us and it is the time we spread joy to those people we pass by each day. A nod, a smile, a simple greeting, it really doesn't take much. We don't know what is going on "over there". With a simple gesture, you may turn around someone's day. The reward is that you feel better and you smile deep down inside. What could happen, you may make it your daily rountine :) May you have lots of JOY in your life.

Give a Hug & Get a Hug

The holiday season has arrived. Some of us look forward to the festivies, parties, being with friends and family. There are a few humbugs and grumpies too.  So through this holiday season, I will be sending you little bits of inspirations that will raise your spirits and those around you.

Just imagine being in this square - hugs are the best, we all should have a dozen hugs a day.  Enjoy and I send you a big hug today.

Perfect Kick off to the Holiday Season

Once again I had the pleasure of having my nephew, Seamus, join me for the weekend after Thanksgiving.  It has been a whorl wind so far. 

We packed up from grandma's house, duffle and Coda, and we drove back, about an hour, to my place.  My nephew didn't stop talking.  He calls himself a 'chatterbox'.  Actually I don't think I know another kid his age (8 years) that could keep up with him.  He has an uncommon way of transforming a conversation and taking it off on tangents and all of a sudden he will say "hey, how did we get here?".  He's done it about three times in the 24 hours since he's arrived.

Thursday night isn't much, get a tour of the house, find all the light switches, reaquainte him to all the nuiances of my home so he will feel comfortable. 

Friday began with baking cinnamon buns.  It was really cute, he read all the directions including setting the clock and timer.  The Dough Boy helped out and Seamus placed the buns on the baking pan.  Mr. Eagle Eye kept watching the clock and the oven and thought it was really cool to see them rise.  Ding went the buzzer and we pulled them out - perfection was only a few dribbles of icing away.  He ate four of them along with a big banana and Aunt Patty's special/secret organge juice. 

Ok - we make the list of items to do, take care of chores and help Bob the Builder with several items he needs to take care of while we are gone.  There was lunch at Steve's; go to the Library for movies and books and get Aunt Patty's library mail; watch the movie at the Library; back home to get ready and then the real treat - go to see Santa turn on the lights!

The Festival of Lights has been my favorite thing to do since I moved to the Hartford area.  It's my way to kick off the holiday season; I get an enormous dose of holiday spirit all in one shot.  This year, the event was moved from Constitution Plaza to Bushnell Park to enable the growth of the event.  In that spirit, citizens gathered at the Plaza and walked through the city streets singing carols and picking up Santa along the way (riding a Zamboni machine) to the park. Traditions evolve, it's how they stay traditions!

So Seamus and I did just that.  We met some of the Wolf Pack hockey team and some of the cast from "A Christmas Carol", in costume, opening that evening at Hartford Stage.  We met Hartford's new mayor.   Mayor Pedro E. Segarra is a lovely man.  He took several moments to answer my questions about the downtown improvement and pointed out some of the upcoming highlights.   I introduced Seamus to the mayor.  He spoke directly to Seamus about the science museum and what a good time he will have.

Before long, the group of us began the march to the park.  Hartford's finest were on motocycles;streets closed off as we walked and sang.  Meeting up with Santa was really cool.  We moved into the park, obtained our complimentary hot cocco, and awaited the turning on of the lights.  There was a skating demo on artifical ice, and more caroling.  Hartford mounted police were there too.  It was a short lived program, a few dignitaries.  In my opinion, we need more pizzaz and I'm sure with the change in venue we will see improvements over the next years.  Since the carousel was open we walked over only to find the line was a couple of hours long.  We peeked through the windows and could see all the horses going round and round.  I promised Seamus we would come back at a time when it wasn't as busy.

We treated ourselves to IHOP for a quick dinner.  We laughed so much and then it was home, jamies and to watch part of the movie before getting ready for bed.  We said our "we are thankful fors"; I had to cut them off at ten as he'd never get to sleep.   All in All - it was a perfect day - sweet dreams.

PS  Before I forget, my eyes are heavy ....  things he wants to do for next time - ride the carousel, go ice skating, skateboarding, bake cookies, cook dinner, work as Santa's assistant, read a book, learn more words, do more math examples; make some crafts in my studio, go to Steve's, go to the art museum, make some art, then...he said .." I, like, maybe can stay at your (my) house for five weeks because KC will like me better",,,  the list goes on but I'm getting the giggles thinking of the great day I had.  Tomorrow will only get better.

PSS  This was a good one - he wanted to know... (you just can't make this up) .." if  grammie Kovack married Aunt Denise's daddy would the Filosa cousins be my cousins?  That would be cool, you can not have enough cousins".   Hey PopPop and JoJo - are you listening?

Great Shopping and a Christmas Gift!

Ho Ho Ho!  Merry Christmas.  I know we haven't finished Thanksgiving dinner yet, by the way, yum yum!

A little while ago, I need to return an item to Macy's.  If you know me, I really dislike shopping.  So just before the expiration of the return period, I got it returned.  That lead me by the winter coat area.  Last winter I got away without replacing my winter coat.  I've had it awhile, it is showing wear.  It's a great coat, black, boiled wool JG Hook - classic lines.

So I'm going through the racks, more and more of the same - geez, where are the 'classic coats'? Until I turn around and on the end of a rack, this lone coat calls out to me.  With one look and touch, I fell in love.  It was so soft and with great texture - it was made from Alpaca!  It was so ridulously priced at almost $500.  When did winter coats get that expensive?  Though it was a sale  40%, and if you put it on your Macy's card - another 15%, and if you don't have a Macy's card and open one on the spot, then you'll get another 20%!  Do the Math - 40 + 15 + 20 = 75%  Now the coat will cost $187 - such a deal and I took it home.

So you say - what does the dishes have to do with the coat?  (it's a story and a half as I take a long breath)   It is easy - the new Macy's card gave me a 20% off anything I could charge for that day and the next. Hmmmm.  So I go and get a new pair of gloves for my new coat.  Then up to housewares - there must be something I can use and get this great discount.

Bottom line - I was looking through the fine china.  My china that I got right after college has served me well.  I've used it and used it on a daily basis, and it is now showing all the good lovin it has had.  Several pieces have just broke as the chips have finally become cracks.  While getting china was very low on my list of things, it would be nice to set a great table with dishes without chips and cracks even if it only for me.

So I mixed to patterns - Macy's Hotel brand and Lenox's Tin Can Alley.  Two plates from Hotel and two plates and the bowl from Leneox.  Actually they look great together and the sales clerk was liking the mixing of the two patterns. Neither pattern had enough of the right size plates.   I'm keeping my cup and saucer from my first set.  Now get this, the patterns were on sale, and if you purchase them and charge them on your Macy's card, and of course it is in the discount period - voila!  I have purchased eight placesettings for a net $49 per place setting - yes - bone china!

If you want to give me a Christmas Gift that I would really love - how about sponsoring a place setting?  Mom and Dad have laid claim to two of the place settings.  Thank you Momming and Daddy!

Gifts vs Gift Cards

Now the holidays have ended I thought it be time to think about the gift giving vs. the gift cards.

I'm an old fashion girl - I want to shake the box, have it wrapped with pretty paper and of course with ribbons and bows. There is still a 'little kid' in me that is excited when then box is there with my name on it. In my family - the gift with the "special paper from grandpa" - was generally a really good one. It doesn't matter the holiday, or birthday, or the just because gift, it's really fun to get a gift all wrapped up just for me. If you wonder how come ...... well this guy loved a good present and we all could count of him to wear the bow!

I guess the use of gift cards could be due to being a bit more ecological, or is it that there isn't enough time to think of that special gift, it seems that the citizenery has fallen to giving a 'gift card'. It's easy, takes only the time to stand in line, and voila, gift is done. Heck you can order them oline and have them shipped to the receipent.

I do believe gift cards have their place in the gift world - such as assisting the receipent to purchase a big ticket item; then there is the on-line comodities like music or cell/text minutes, and limiting the receipent to where they can shop. All in all, the card issuers really win!

Some interesting statistics - some 50 million adults purchased gift cards last year; the receipent (61% of them) spent more than the original amount of the card; Americans use 83% of the cards issued worldwide; receipents, more than 54% of them, need to make at least two trips to the store to use up the card's value; and the drum roll please...... 33% of the total value of a card is never used or redeemed. In 2004, there was an etimated $17.34 BILLION in gift card sales! You do the math!

This year I recieved some gift cards that I'll add to my other cards that still have a balance, some really nice home made gifts like the bread made by my cousin/godchild, and a really cool gift in a box with fancy paper and a bow (thanks mom & dad)! I'm thankful for all, just wished for more boxes with pretty paper and a bow!

Kissing balls

I hung more than 10 French Kissing Balls as part of my holiday decorations this year. A little bit of research lead me to understand that the beginnings of it all; as far back to the Druids. It continued to evolve in England to what we more commonly know it as today.

If you care considering making a kissing ball - I found this receipe that was quite interesting " It chose herbs that had meaning to the Victorians. This kissing ball expresses a desire for a happy home life in the year to come: sage for domestic virtues, long life, and good health; rosemary for loyalty and fidelity; lemon geranium for gentility; boxwood for constancy in love and stoicism in the face of whatever cannot be changed; oregano thyme for happy activities, courage, and thrift; lavender for devotion, loyalty, luck, acknowledgment, and constant personal attention ; and anise hyssop for homely virtues and cleanliness.

Merry Christmas ......... to all and to all good night

Tis the Season - the first tree

Christmas is an amazing time of year, though I feel so many get lost in the time coming up on the holiday. The shopping list, the shopping, wrapping presents, decorating, meal preparation, baking and cooking. It seems like a never ending list of tasks, chores, and assorted things to do.

This will be my first Christmas in my new home. I decorated ad completed my white tree. It's not traditional in any sense of the word. It's a pre-lite tree with white lights and generally just branches. It allows for the display of my crystal ornament collection. Two of the collections have to do with the 12 Days of Christmas, and assorted other ornaments - just one theme - all clear crystal. The garland is one that I made, with irredescent beads crocheted. I added some white, gold, and silver doves, and the same with some pearls. I have also added some Victorian icicles - all made a tin and help catch the light. Lest not forget some hand dipped candles I made at the Yankee Candle shop on one of my retreats to NH

So I deciced to get this tree completed early. Now I can enjoy the tree - it looks so wonderful in my new home.

Of course now this tree is complete - on to my grand stairway. At least my entrance way will be decorated. White poinsettia line the railing with french kissing balls(more on this later).

The wreaths are still awaiting my next trip to the craft store for additional hooks to hang them up and possibly more garland.

Dining has be updated with a few little trinkets and there is an elegant look.

LOL it is so nice to have my table and chairs at my place !! It really looks nice with the lights off!

If you are out there, leave a note, Tis the season - wishing you and yours some time to enjoy the upcoming holiday....... just a day at a time!

Spa YELOF! night 1, day 1 and 2

Over Thanksgiving weekend I had a new guest to the "Aunt Patty" spa. My nephew Seamus came to stay with me, as he said it "for two nights and three days"! He was so excited, me too. This would be his first stay alone , not having to share the "AP" with siblings. He's a great little guy, talks a non-stop streak, asks a million questions, has an opinion on everything, and mind you he does it all at six years old. Mind me, he'll be seven in about seven weeks!


I got him settled in, and by morning, (I awoke a bit late) and he was sitting in bed, dressed, and wanting to know if we would be leaving for the Lucy Robbins Welles Library yet? It was about 8am! We had special orange juice, got ready to do the errands for the day, and before you know it, it was time to have lunch. We had a repeat visit to Steve's for lunch. He's was counting on a hamburger once again. Then off to the Library and we got to see "Kung-Fu Panda" showing. Great little movie if you haven't seen it yet.

The time was drawing near, we played leggos, trains, and got books before leaving to get dressed for Santa's arrival and the turning on the lights. This was the 45th year of the Festival of Lights in Hartford. After a bunch of people say their bit about the event, the choir sing, and then there was an interpretive dance number. One special nephew was getting impatient, lol, I was also getting a bit bored. Where is Santa? Without further a do, and with a bit of fan fare, Santa rose up with smoke and fireworks out of a box on stage. Long are gone the days of him flying in in a helicopter and coming down the side of a building on a window washer dressed like a sleigh. Of course Santa's is a techie and has the remote control - and voila.................. the button is pushed and we have ................lights!!! It is truly amazing to watch the city come alive, in the midst of thousands of people, singing carols, and all of us believing in the season. It is truly a moving moment - yes there is still the magic of Christmas.

The rest of the night was quiet, we read, made spagets and meatballs, and watch part of a movie before we headed off to bed.